Maximvs Video Tutorial: POTCO Video Capture And Creation

[Maximvs]

STATUS: March 2009 - Replacing the broken links with new ones (new approved Picture Sites for POF) - Currently Revamping Information For New CamStudio Video Capture Program (Much Easier!) - Pics To Be Re-Posted Once Complete
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POTCO Video Creation Tutorial – Maximvs

Table Of Contents

Post One
Forward
- Opening Statement
- Lets Begin…
- Warning
- Reward
The Requirements
- Background
- The Simple List
The Goods
- Overall Steps and Tips
- The Step By step Instructions
- Three Areas To Explore
Post Two
Camtasia (Video Capture Program)
- Instructions: Installing Camtasia Studios (Video Capture Program)
-- Setup Camtasia BEFORE Using It In POTCO...
Post Three
Video Capturing and POTCO
- Instructions: Video Capturing In POTCO
-- Starting POTCO
-- Starting Camtasia
-- Using POTCO and Record Your Scene
-- Complete Camtasia and Encode Your Video
--- Doing More than One?
Post Four
Creating The Video Using Widows Movie Maker v2.0
- Instructions: Windows Movie Maker and Making Complete Videos
--Tips on using Windows Movie Maker and Video File Creations.
Conclusion
Post Five
Additional Notes And Features
- Newer WMM Version May Block Some Music
- Using Camtasia After 30 Days


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Forward:

- Opening Statement

This tutorial covers the creation of video from POTCO using only one of several formats (some may use another Video Capture Program such as FRAPS, some may be more knowledgeable in Camtasia and use it to fully produce their Video instead of switching to Window Movie Maker). This tutorial is provided as just a guide (though a detailed one) on one way to produce videos.

I as the tutorial creator take no responsibility in how the information is used, computer issues or crashing, or any other problems which may arise from using this tutorial as it is provided ‘as is’ to inform people that it is possible to make POTCO Video – but from that standpoint alone (sorry if you blow it up – your on your own – even if every step was followed exactly).

Also, those even more savvy than myself and have time should explore the many extra options – there are many cool things that can be applied to Video Creations not listed in this tutorial due to time constraints… and I’ve seen some really nice stuff created by very talented people out there in many games. If you are lucky enough to have this experience, then I and many others look forward to watching your creations.


- Lets Begin…

So - want to capture Video from POTCO?

Its a brave new world in there, and those who have the patience, time and practice to do it can make Videos from POTCO to share with friends. For those who take this adventure and succeed - the reward is something exceptionally cool

- Warning...

The road is not easy though (if it was - everyone could and would do it). You have to have some knowledge about computers and how they work, along with some administrator permissions. You have to know file locations, and understand that it will take several (if not MANY) tries to get the feel and the methods down right. Time is not your friend - as you cannot do much during compiling of video, time take to assemble video pieces and time to put it together and post it. Finally, understand that you always risk messing up your computer completely, and I cannot be responsible for that or even be able to help you out...

I've provided the basic steps here to do Video Creation almost to a Step-by-Step basis. I would love to have time to help with all the little quirks people run into - but just can't, RL is just too busy to spend hours trying to troubleshoot issues. If you take it on, your on your own...

Also, I cannot be responsible for what you make. There are different laws in different places, and the steps provided are 'as-is' for just creating videos. What you create is your business, and your responsibility.

If you don't think the above is to your taste - then sit back and enjoy the videos that others create

- Reward...

But for the bold - the prize can be yours Watching your creations come to life on the screen as Director, Producer and Actor is quiet the ~rush~... Nothing is more cooler than having others watch your work and even if they don't like it, know that they watched something you created... it's Wicked.

Provided below are the instructions in a explained and step-by-step format to get a Video Capture Program running, capture Video in POTC, and finally put it together for posting...

Good luck Pirate….



Requirements:

- Background

Capturing Video from POTCO is demanding on a computer in all areas. First, minimum requirements for POTCO are not good enough to try and then run a capture program along side - if the game is choppy already then a capture program will DEFINITELY bog your system to an almost standstill.

The CPU will have to run both POTCO and the Capture Program in real-time and can be taxing. The Video Card Memory will be pushed more as the Capture Program and POTCO try to maintain a high Fame Rate. The Computers Memory will also be pushed as it loads both programs and keeps them running. Finally, once the capture is done you need a LARGE amount of Hard Drive space as files are dumped, compiled and put together.

Not to say you cannot do video capture - but take note - don't be surprised if your computer locks up if your specs are not somewhat above the baseline.

- The Simple List

In short form:
- Windows running at least 1024x768 - if not 1280x1024. You need the desktop space...
- POTCO Running stable in a Window Format at 800x600... the rest of the space is for the Capture Program Interface...
- A Video Capture Program (Camtasia, FRAPS) meeting the programs specs.
- Windows Movie Maker (comes with XP, I don't have Vista to test)
- System Which Can Run The Above Necessary Programs (Memory, CPU and Hard Drive Space In Extra Supply and a Good Video Card never hurt)


The Goods:

- Overall Steps and Tips

a) So there are actually several major steps in doing video where you switch between POTCO and the Video Capture Program. Once you have POTCO running in a window Format and you have the Video Capture Program running where you are in POTCO then quickly have to switch over to the Video Capture Program then switch back to POTCO. Be prepared to start and end your scene in a safe area as the CPU switches from Game to Video Processing which may cause you to come to a standstill (dead is not pretty - unless its part of your scene ).

b) Another recommendation is know your Keyboard Keys for using Weapons (F1-F6) and turning on/off the Game interface (F12)! Nothing is worse than getting setup, start the video capture, remove the Game Interface - then can't remember how to Draw a Weapon or worse know the Number of the Weapon Selection (like 4 is Hex on the Pistol, not 5... not good to die quickly from shooting a Molusk with just Silver Bullets before Hexing them). If required - write down the Keys for all the Weapons your going to use (don't forget those numbers on weapons with multiple choices) - including Ship and Cannon numbers! (sinking a flagship with Fire Cannon is never fun when you meant to use Lighting or Regular Cannonballs, and firing the Left Broadsides when you meant to fire Right Broadsides doesn't look pretty... unless you wanted to sink ).

The above is a LOT easier when not removing the Game Interface (F12). Obviously, if you can see your weapon selections, just use the mouse. If you need to board the flagship, just click the Board button and a way you go... the big challenge of doing these scenes is once the Game Interface is off... you have to know your stuff.

c) Keep in mind - you basically have four views which to capture video from:
- Ship View: your sailing, camera can be turned and zoomed from ship - great for slower song sections using different zooms and turns, good for some faster song areas in ship fighting, and once you get the hang of it - bonus cool if you can pull off a full flagship boarding which can be used in both fast and slow songs
- Cannon View: using cannon only one view with limited movement of cannon - while shooting cannon good for a fast quick section of a song, ok to good for multiple fire rounds of a longer song piece
- Weapon / Run View: with weapon drawn or running, only back view with no zoom or pan option - Weapons are great to good for quick song areas, running is good for mid-paced songs needing to 'go somewhere'
- Standing View: no weapon or movement, can zoom and pan - good for action shots or talking of players in a song - bonus cool if you can position yourself behind another Computer Player then use the zoom just right to only show that player and exclude yourself for additional scenes for many music bits (see Guitar Players in my MTV Video as an example)

It would be awesome if you could pan your pirate with a drawn weapon - but you can't. it would also be cool if you could pan while running - but nope. Pan around the cannon would also be a bonus - meh. Remember to live with the limitations...

d) When recording Video Clips – be careful not to record TOO Long of a clip (try to keep each clip 2 minutes or less). Anything over that – you run the risk of Lockup and Crashes as it will take forever to compile and convert to AVI. If you are planning a 6 minute video – be prepared to do several clips and not try to capture the entire Video in one shot.


e) Recording a Video Scene will ALWAYS be longer than your actual need, so plan for it! Lets say you want to capture your pirate running down the beach. To do this you: need to get your pirate in the right position, start the Video Capture, remove the interface, do the actual run, stop running, return the interface and stop the Video Capture.

In this case, it's like being director of a movie with the cool Chop Board and getting to say action! The first part of the video and the last part will be cut off - leaving the middle piece. PLAN AHEAD for these cuts! If your scene is too close to the start of end of the video - you'll get 'editors chop' where some may actually see a second or two of your interface before the actual scenes starts.

Which leads to the final Tip...

f) Finally, anyone can use the steps to make a video recording - the REAL question becomes making a complete video! It isn't about just capturing some Video Footage and then putting it together with some music in Windows Movie Maker and zap...

Its really about the planning BEFORE the video is made. Just like making real movies, where they have storyboards of the entire movie laid out to 'show' the movie and what is going to happen at each scene - creating a good video is about a) Picking the right song b) Visualizing in that song what scenes from POTCO could fit in each area piece of the song then c) Going off and capturing those video pieces.

No sense picking a song which you can't capture video pieces for (remember - your limited to basically four views, think ahead). If doing a fun piece like a dance party - then this isn’t so much a worry, just keep moving from place to place and capture the dance - but if your trying to 'visualize a storyboard' for a song or big project keep the angles in mind...

- Three Areas To Explore And Complete

So we actually have three sections here:

First, getting and installing a Video Capture Program (in this case it will be Camtasia). I'll assume you already have POTCO Installed and working correctly (if not - you have a long way to go and need to go do that first! go play the game already!)

Second, is how to actually just Capture a Single Video Piece using a Video Capture Program. You'll need to do these steps over-and-over to get many different Video Clips. Be prepared for some quick-pace-switching and some s-l-o-w-processing.

Third are the steps to create a video in Windows Movie Maker using all those captured pieces and some sound. Here use the Save Button A LOT! Windows Movie Maker crashes fairly regularly and you DON'T want to lose an hour of hard editing!!!